101 out of 101 people found the following review helpful:

Captures The Essence Of The Era Perfectly

Katrina from , 4th April, 2009

Absolutely loved this film from beginning to end. It captures the essence of that era perfectly, and it is a film I could watch again and again. My biggest surprise came from Rhys Ifans who portrayed the sex god DJ Gavin fantastically. What a sexy voice for the radio - shame I can't mention one DJ on air at the moment who sounds the same...! Unfortunately, I myself, was born in 1979, so wasn't around in that decade. However I took my mum to see this film as she was 21yrs old in 1966, and remembers listening to the pirate radio station in the middle of the North Sea, and remembers all the political controversy surrounding it. She thought it was a great film too. If you appreciate the best music of all time, proper rock n roll from the 60's/70's, then you will love this film. Its a real feel good movie.

28 out of 29 people found the following review helpful:

misses the mark

A Customer from London, 7th April, 2009

great cast, poorly utilised. Poor character development, non-existent storyline. Was this supposed to be a comedy? What was Philip Seymour Hoffman thinking? I can't help thinking that this movie lost the plot in the edit- or is it just that something was seriously missing?

24 out of 26 people found the following review helpful:

*** May contain spoilers ***

Ship that Rocked

PhilCarr from , 12th April, 2009

Dear me what a mess, Richard Curtis seems to have lost his touch with this one. His usual sweet sentimentality and nostalgia sits uncomfortably with the sex and nudity. I couldn't work up a liking for any of the characters and the film was far too long (spoiler coming) so was quite relieved when the boat finally sank! A dumb film.

18 out of 18 people found the following review helpful:

Dreadful

cadillandy from , 31st August, 2009

I watched this film at the cinema and for the first half thought it was a light-hearted watchable movie with some mildly humorous moments and an unusual setup on the boat. However, the second half was utterly dreadful. The most unoriginal script I've ever heard or seen with some seriously cringe-ridden dialogue, poor jokes, obvious soundtrack, intelligence-insulting drivel. Richard Curtis has reached a new all-time low. Everytime I think of this film it makes me angry. I can't believe Phillip Seymour Hoffman, usually impeccable with his choice of roles, has allowed himself to put his career on the line for this!

16 out of 16 people found the following review helpful:

Rocked My Boat

CityGent from from Colne,Lancs, 8th April, 2009

For someone like me who was about 12/13 years old at the time this film was set it really brings back some good memories . I found myself saying'I DID that!' at various points during the film. The story about Radio Rock anchored outside of territorial waters, (and transmitting one of the best film soundtracks I have heard in a long time), is written by Richard Curtis in full feelgood mode. The ensemble cast lead by Bill Nighy and a brilliant Phillip Seymour Hoffman are obviously enjoying every minute of the filming experience,this feeling readily transmits itself to the audience.There are a couple of clunky moments surrounding a doomed love affair but Curtis can be forgiven for one simple reason; it's very funny! Kenneth Branagh and Jack Davenport make an unlikely (but very successful) comedy double act and the screen is lit up by a wonderful cameo from the delicious Emma Thompson. If you want a film which will not ask you to stretch your intellect,make you jig about in your seat,say 'That's right! That's how it was!', and leave you at the end with a warm fuzzy feeling, then this is definitely the film for you.

16 out of 18 people found the following review helpful:

*** May contain spoilers ***

Pure drivel

A Customer from London, 9th June, 2009

Driven to write a review by the utter, utter drivel that this film is. There is no plot, no character development, no jokes, no insight etc. However, far worse than this is the way in which the writers try to show the fight for a bit of musical freedom in the sixties as the one of the most historically important events of all time. The way in which the soundtrack has been compiled is indicative of how the whole film has been put together as it shows a complete lack of heart, originality, effort or wit. It must have taken all of five minutes to put together and consists of songs that you will have heard a hundred times before and all of which have been in other films. I was forced to watch this at the cinema and learnt where the phrase 'gnawing at my knuckles' comes from through two hours of purgatory. There was not one faintly amusing moment, my only hope was when the boat started to sink and I suddenly hoped that the entire cast would either drown or be horribly eaten by some sea monster who had heard the preceding 90 mins and decided to enact some sort of justice. As I sat there silently begging the projectionist to take pity on me by using fast forward, I started to worry that if my atheism proves to be mistaken I will be made to watch this again and again Curtis has been out of jokes for at least ten years but has now hit an all time low. He should be ashamed of this film as should the entire cast for their involvement. Please do not rent this or he might make another and although practically impossible he may just find a way to make something even worse. Telegram to Mr Curtis : Please, please stop

15 out of 15 people found the following review helpful:

Brilliant

GaryI from , 14th April, 2009

If you loved Love Actually, Notting Hill et al, in other words you like Richard Curtis scripted movies this will not let you down. Its not his best and has some dodgy bits, but its a laugh out loud movie. I lived through these times and they are captured fondly and more or less spot on. Bill Nighy is brilliant as usual, this man is a national treasure and should be knighted asap. The rest of the cast is also superb, especially Philip Seymour Hoffman. I recommend this for a Sat evenings first class entertainment.

13 out of 15 people found the following review helpful:

*** May contain spoilers ***

Just pointless

Eldeppo from , 14th April, 2009

I enjoyed the first 45mins or so - the soundtrack was good and it looked promising. But there were way too many characters who added nothing for the film and I just didn't care enough about any of them.
Look out for the contrived women's names just so the soundtrack can include certain songs and the typical 'happy' ending. As it was I couldn't wait to get out of the cinema.

10 out of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Great fun!!

BikerBee from , 16th April, 2009

I loved this film! I listened to Pirate Radio myself and even have recordings I made on my cassette recorder! The film captures the crazy era and the sound track is great! I love the wonderful Bill Nighy. I thought the usually lovely Kenneth Brannah looked a little too like Hitler, but other than that I'd highly recommend this movie if you want a fun and lighthearted night out and lots of laughs along the way! Emma Thompson's small part was just brilliant! Rhys Ifans is a great and sexy baddie!! Compliments to the Chef, Richard Curtis!

7 out of 7 people found the following review helpful:

The Boat that Rocked

standardman from , 18th August, 2009

It's light, it's entertaining and makes you feel good - it's exactly what you'd expect from a Richard Curtis movie, and that's just fine.